Spitsbergen in Depth: Big Island, Big Adventure

Spitsbergen Cruises

Starting from $8,995

This 14-day itinerary offers the most extensive exploration of Spitsbergen while experiencing all the adventure the island has to offer. This is one of the best regions to see polar bears, walrus and reindeer; plus, the impressive 14th of July Glacier and Alkefjellet cliff are both birdwatching utopias. You’ll also get a glimpse of 16th-century whaling culture at secluded landing sites. This route may include visiting the northernmost Svalbard island of Nordaustlandet if conditions allow.

Itinerary

Your arctic voyage begins in Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital city. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and green spaces to keep you busy before retiring at your included airport hotel.

Day 2: Embarkation Day in Longyearbyen, Svalbard

This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As your ship sets sail, enjoy your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from icy waters.

Days 3-13: Exploring Spitsbergen

Expect a new adventure every day as we begin our circumnavigation by heading north and around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying islands. We plan to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, but if conditions are favorable, we will also attempt a circumnavigation of the whole Svalbard archipelago. Every expedition will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but some of the places we may visit include the 14th of July Glacier, Ny London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet and the seldom-visited Kvitøya. These names may seem strange to you, but each site has its own unique appeal. There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen, where colorful tundra meadows are complemented by immense glaciers. For birders, the 14th of July Glacier is home to puffins, purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese and arctic terns, while Alkefjellet’s cliffs are teeming with nesting Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Always on the lookout for wildlife, be sure to have your camera ready to capture reindeer when we visit sites like Ny London, Sundneset and Alkhornet. Searching for the iconic polar bear is a constant activity for your Expedition Team. Phippsøya and Isbukta are two of the bears’ preferred places for hunting, which translates into great potential for you to view and capture them in action. A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the culture— not just how people live today, but also how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see remains of outposts from the 16th century, plus other evidence of whaling at landing sites such as Smeerenburg.

Day 14: Disembark in Longyearbyen and Fly to Oslo

Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Oslo.

Highlights

Explore glaciers, fjords, icebergs and more with included Zodiac cruising

Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Arctic with optional kayaking adventures

Hike the tundra and polar desert

Included

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping

All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board

Beer and house wine during dinner

All shore landings per the daily program

Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader

All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program

Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and special guests as scheduled

Photographic journal documenting the expedition

Waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings

Expedition parka to keep

Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

Complimentary reusable water bottle

Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin

Comprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program

All luggage handling aboard the ship

Transfers between Longyearbyen town center and port on embarkation and disembarkation day

MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE:

Package Cost: $895 per person

One night’s pre-expedition hotel night at Oslo airport hotel

Charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen

Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen

Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo

Adventure Options

Kayaking: $695

Paddling: $195

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of expedition cruising, itineraries are subject to change due to weather, ice conditions, natural and cultural events, wildlife viewing opportunities and other logistical considerations. In general, a ship's crew will endeavor to complete the itinerary provided, but the ultimate decision lies with the ship's captain and expedition leaders.